fairchild isn't trying to promote zills. they have an interest in growing things that are more rare....that they can claim credit for. I love fairchild, but it by nature needs to try to be different...especially at mango festival when talking to big players in the fruit trade...therefore, they focus more on fruit hunting it seems, collecting varieties from all over the world. not saying he is lying about the issues, just that it's not really in his interest to work through them.
I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to say here. They have had just about every Florida mango cultivar in their collection and there is nothing rare about many of these. Their interest is in evaluating mangos for performance, not in simply collecting things because of scarcity.
They're removing those trees because of poor performance over an extended period of time, not because of any bias in favor of being "different". Next on the chopping block is a row of 15 non-productive Coconut Cream trees.
Now cookieman's point is valid; just because something doesn't perform well in Homestead, or Williams Grove specifically, doesn't mean it won't do well elsewhere under different conditions. But it can be something of a red flag.
I have also seen and been advised of the Coconut Cream's poor and inconsistent performance. Including mine. Is it an exceptional mango, yes, however as a backyard grower you have to weigh the issue with production vs space you have.
Again, I will reiterate as it seems we have conflicting reports, Ugly Betty may be in this same boat. While the original tree may have initially been productive, I believe it was cut back and was not a factor in performance last year. From other "original" trees, I have seen and was told that production was not good. It bloomed heavily but was poor at setting fruit.
IN addition, as Jeff agreed, Harvest Moon seems to also be in this class with production issues. As for Pineapple Pleasure, from two trees over the last two years, production is below "average" Yes, the fruit are large but some will definitely be disappointed with the quantity of production.
Sweet Tart, while an exceptional mango and one of my favorites, seems to have a cracking issue on the shoulders when let to color up on the tree (not every fruit but a number of fruit and this was not just in isolated years). This is an issue since its esceptional flaor only comes out of the mango begins to color on its shoulder, otherwise if picked mature green before any cracking it will not ripen properly.
Just to throw this in the loop, E-4 looks to possibly have some similar issues which is maybe why its release has been delayed or negated. As for E-4, in my opinion the quality would be worth it if it is ever released.
Bottom line for all of these is what is most important to the grower...enough fruit to enjoy? enough fruit to enjoy with some to store away (freeze or dehydrate, etc.)? or for commercial purposes?
Oh, and has been mentioned I believe, Orange Sherbert is what I would say very prone to jelly seed; Lemon Zest can also get jelly seed but not as severe as Orange Sherbert.
In all of these varieties, many share some of the issues associated with their parents.
